Cost of Living in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is a city in Kenya, where a single person can expect to spend about $758 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $436 per month, or $212 outside the centre. Internet is slow at around 16 Mbps median download speed, and Kenya offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Nairobi scores 36/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter highs around 74°F, with roughly 252 sunny days a year.
Nairobi Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Nairobi
How Nairobi Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Nairobi is cheaper than 87% of them, but sits in the bottom 2% for internet speed.
| Metric | Nairobi | World rank | Rank in Africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $758 | #43 of 340 | #7 of 20 |
| Safety | 36/100 | #307 of 340 | #18 of 20 |
| Healthcare | 63/100 | #217 of 340 | #2 of 20 |
| Internet speed | 16 Mbps | #336 of 340 | #18 of 20 |
| Walkability | 32/100 | #296 of 340 | #16 of 20 |
| Public transit | 25/100 | #224 of 340 | #7 of 20 |
| Food scene | 55/100 | #316 of 340 | #16 of 20 |
| Air quality | 61/100 | #304 of 340 | #16 of 20 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Nairobi
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Nairobi.
- Cairo, Egypt — $569/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — $580/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 42/100
- Luxor, Egypt — $440/mo, 42% cheaper, safety 58/100
- Fes, Morocco — $583/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 60/100
Communities & Expat Groups
Expats in Nairobi
Nairobi FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Nairobi?
A single person should budget around $758 per month in Nairobi, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,017 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Nairobi?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Nairobi averages $436 per month, dropping to about $212 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,136.
Is Nairobi safe?
Nairobi scores 36/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 40/100.
How fast is the internet in Nairobi?
Median download speeds in Nairobi are around 16 Mbps — slow for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Kenya offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Kenya offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Nairobi?
Nairobi sees summer highs around 79°F and winter highs near 74°F, with about 252 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 82 days.
Visa Requirements for Kenya
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